Shock absorber for railway car end buffers



May 25, 1948.

J. H. LINK, 2,442,050

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR RAILWAY CAR END BUFFERS Filed Nov. 25, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 25, 1948. .1. H. LINK 2,442,050

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR RAILWAY CAR END BUFFERS Filed Nov. 25, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M, /zl/ housing-f.

Y 3 end where it projects from the buffer head proper, as indicated by I E, thereby providing an annular, laterally outwardly projecting stop shoulder Il adapted to engage the front end of the housing` `to arrest movement of the casing inwardly of theV housing andtherebylimiting lcompression of the mechanism,` The'wallsatfthe rearend portion of j the casing I4 are inwardly enlarged, thereby pro` ing, which section is indicated by I8. The fric- The V-shaped friction to facilitate entrance of the friction shoes ing locked to the housing A, prevents relative Y' rotation of the shoes with respect to the housing.

2,442,050 Y r ff.

respect tothe Wedge. Further, the wedge C be- This assures registration of the friction surfaces of the shoes with the friction surfaces ofthe Y friction casing yllinwhen the` rnechanism-ris corn' pressed t'o-'ent'erQthe shoes Within theopen end of the casing, lthe casing being heldfagainst rela- `viding the friction shell section proper of the cas-A .m

.tive rotation with respect to the housing A, as l "hereinbefore pointed out.

interposed.between the spring follower ring` E g andthe front wall of the casing I4 of the corn-V bined'bufler head and friction casing B. The

The hexagonal casing ldslidingly fits withinathe vhousing A, these parts being thus locked againstrelative rotation.Y

The wedge C isinhtheY form of a block of hex- ,agonaL'transversev cross section. Atjthe rear `endl, .the block YC is provided with a plate-like `section 2 0 .whichiprojects laterallyjtherefrom,

and has la peripheral flange or shoulder 2l at rightangles thereto. The'iiange or shoulderZI is for-medley straight sections, which; together define a rcontinuous, flange'of hexagonal outline.

The .hexagonal iiange 2| `is spaced from the block n portionof the wedge, thereby.: providing a pe-y ripheralseat in the formof .a hexagonal channel 22. At the inner end, the' block C presents six inwardly converging, hat wedge faces 23, which arejarranged symmetrically about the central longitudinal4 axis of the mechanism. Adjacent faces 23-.23of the wedgeblock together'present a Wedge face of,Vfshaped,1transversc cross section.` The wedge C and the housing A are locked togetheragainst relative rotation, the plate sectionloi the wedge being provided witha pair of projecting, cylindricallugs I 24-r-I24 seated in the openings I25-"I25in the rear wall I'I'Yof'the 'e The kshoes which are'three-,in number, surroundjthe wedge block and each shoehas an outer f V.-shaped fricton surface 2liY adapted to engage Withv oneoi' rthe VV-shaped friction surfaces I9 of the casing I llof the combined buffer head. and

friction casingB, On theinnei side, at the rear end thereof, each shoe a V-shaped Wedge face 25 engagingwithtwo adjacent'faces 23--23 of the Wedge C. Y At thefforward end.; each shoe hasran outwardlyprojecting lugY 26 thereon, whichV has thelateral outerofacefthereof rounded. The projectionslor lugs N25726---26 of the three shoes together form, in effect, an` annular boss. "At/ therear end, .each shoeV has a vrearwardly Yextending 'lug 21, which isin the ,form of a rib.

Y Therib 21 of each'shoe isof Vshaped form and the three V-shaped ribs fltheV vthree shoes toe Vgether form, ineffect, acontinuousflange whichV Visseatedin the channel r22 o'f thefp-lateisection l .of `.the ewedgenblock: C, thereby limiting lateral Tco g vThe spring Afollower E is in the form of a ring `"bearing on the inner ends'of the shoes and sur-k rounding the 'proj ections or llugs Y26-2 6-26 of the; 'thi'eeg-'shoes thereby preventing Ytilting of the latter.' The spring F 'i'sqin the forni of a single-coil iront end of the springF is centered by an inf wardly projecting boss 28 on the'front wallof the casing, and the rear end thereof centered by the-V lugs' 2E-26-26 which project entirely v` throu'ghjthe ring E and into the end of the spring. The retainer boltG- has a head-29 atthe rfrol'itL end thereof, which is seated -in a pocketfprofvided in the buier head I5.'.The shank'of the e bolt G extendsthrough theV Spring F and 'aligned openings inthe wedge-C and the wallll ofthe housing A. The rear'end of the bolt G is .threadedV toj receive the nut 3I which *bears* on the end wall l I Yof Ythe housing and is accommodated in a suitable opening provided*A in thev` endwall "I 0` of the car. The nut 3l jisfpreferably locked Vagainst Vremoval by 'a key =3 2 extending through .the

threaded 'end portionofthe'shankof therbolt. n

The bolt G holdsfthe mechanism assembled and under slight initial Y compression.4

The operationfofV my improved the combined bufferh'ead and friction Y'casing B through pressure exerted jthereon by any object', suchfas the buffer headjofan adjacent' car,".the

spring F is compressed against the friction shoes 'Y which are'held against rearward movement Yby the wedge C Yshouldered against'the' rear"'wall ofthehousing A. 4The -l'iglitergsli'ock's` are thus absorbed vbythespring F. As thebuffer-head is n moved inwardly'l'ofthe housing '-Awhen' heavier shocks are encountered, the open'lrearfendof theV friction casingY I4 ofthe combinedbuffer head and friction casing B will be engagedV over the frica,VV Y Vtion shoes',` as `shown in Figure l2,'and the'vfric'- Y tion casingwill Vbe forced `to'slidev rearwardly withv respect Vtof the frieden Yshoes-.minifuneY Vmechanism hasrbeen fully compressed, as shown in Figure =3 During this action, the pressure of 'the spring "F on "the shoes D forces. the latter against the wedgeY faces of the-wedgeV block C,V `thereby causingthe'shoes to spread apart into tight frictionalsengagementv with VtheY interior 'Y friction'surfaces ofthe fcasingn Aswilll be Sevident, high frictional 1resistance-isthus provided Y to'aibsorlo 'the heaviershocks duringthe inward outwardmovement or separation of Ythe shoes.

VVSufficient Y clearance is provided "between, the Vribs Vonlugslfl of the shoes and the inner Ywall of the channel-shaped, Yseat to permit a certain amount Yof Ylateral inward/movement of Ythe shoesV Ytoward the centralyaxis of the" mechanism. AsY

wil1'be`evident,thfeinterengaging Veshaped wedge facesrof the wedge block-C and the shoes DY-D'-D '75 prevent relative" Y'rotation v:of the Shoes. `Wth Vsliding ymovement of theV friction casing 'I4 Vwith* Y respect to the "friction 1 shoes The Y clutch, comprising the Wedge C- and .the friction l y shoesrD-DLD; isheld contracted Abythe shouldered engagement of Y-theshoes with the `flanges l2-I2 of the plate section of the wedge'block C Y 'Y and by shouldered engagementwithithe followerj- Y Y ring nEso that:itwill.freely-1enterbetween the I friction surfaces of the casing I4asfthe,casingis engaged; overfthe4 shoesr The beveled "endsof the friction surfaces of the,casingfacilitate'zthis buffer mecha Ynism is as followsz- YUpon 'inwardmovement-of' armslag.

ingr.positivelyalmitedby the-aretainersbel G.-

Referring nextitogthe embadim entgoirtheginvens tioniillustratedzinzligure 6i thezcenstruction same as -thatvshowm in:1 Eisures with-.theexceptionthat:,theasnr nel haswedgingeengagementiwitnzthe@shoes nstead offshculderedeneagemeniawitnlugssomthetsheea toi-prevent.ftiltingfofftheslattera Similan-partsiare indicated by, the.-Y same. reference characters..

Figure -61 .as exnpioyedl fors thosesnartszfinr Figures 1f to; ginolusiver. The: sprinaafolloxve iinasin shoes; Baur-D.: have) ceeneratirxa:A hunt wedge 3.35v and: 34' arezlaterally. inclined?. outwardly; z. thus wedgingxtheoshoes toWarnethe-centrial.lrfngitiwlinal axiszfoiz the mechanism; Asrwillf bei evidenti., du@ to"I the; blunt wedging:engagement` betweeni the spring follower ringand.thee-slides',the:fronteends4 of .'theshoes; areeheldagainstttiltiirgforspreading.

Referring next tothefembodimenuoiI tneirrven'- tionxillustrat'ed in Eigure;.thfadesigrnisthesame asrthat: discljosedinzligunest-.1;tosinciusine; with thea exceptionv that the: snr gr, foilowen ring; is v ing projectingf portions: 3G-.-36;-.-.3 e at: the-tirent ends of.y thefwedge iacesefof they wedge Aillusie-.J1 Astshown; thevcentralinortionof .'thesfwedgmblnck J; is. out out; to; provides the -pnoi,eotioirsil 3BE. The

projections 36: normailv engage inrtheseatsiof the Shoes: and; limitf` spreading-i off.A the latten byshoulderedfeneagement:ofcthaseatnwitnithaprnf jections;v of the; Wedge.4 The.' resistance', which ist, alsoy indicated/by Eine Ei'gureg 7'; c has; its rear; endg seated; in: ai pocket; 3:12 proyideds the inner endsgoffthe shoesgsaidipocket beingrformed partly. on eachvoff thefshoess.

I have hereinf Shawna and-deseribedzwhatzl: now consider thef. preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplateallichanges` and modifications that., come within the. scopa, of the? claims; appended' hereto. Y

I claim:

l. In a shock absorber; thescombination with a friction casing having inwardly convergingffnioe tionsurfaces; of a friction clutchgmeans-fonhold ing? said clutch assembled and; limiting: expansion of thessame, said clutonand casingibeing normallyfspaced apart lengthwisesof thegmechanismandbeing movable towardfand awayirem each otherAv in lengthwise direction, saidciut'ch beinggslidably engageable wthntthe casingafter a. predetermin ed compression t of; the mechanism; and spring means within the casing yieldingly resisting inward movement lof the clutch with respect to the casing.

2. In a shock absorber, the combination with a housing; of a friction casing slidingly telescoped Within the housing, said casing having interior S friction;surfaces..atfrictioniclutchsunitincluding ar.- wedga blocks". hel gainstinward; movement wittn resneccfto; the;`4 housing;l andi frictionshoes i1r@wedginerengaeementi-Withsaid block, .Said Shoes havingfrictionisuriaces engageablewiththe friction surfaces of the casing, said casing.r being normally. spaced; fromV4 the shoes and: movable towardfb. said?. slicesq duringrcompressiony of' the mechanism; said; casingq-being; engaged with the sho.es'.;.afterf-zn predetermined compression ofthe nmchaaiism;meansgfonholding;said shoes assembled witgh. ..t' lreg wedges blockn and limiting radial outward; displacementofthe same with respect tmtneewedgehblock; andrspring means within the casinszyeldingly opposingamovement of the casing. andfshoesf.: toward ieach: other.

In.:l a; shocks.:.abs,orhenthe combination with as 1"i.iotiorr,4 casingi: oirv aifriction clutch slidingly engagable! With-in, the; casingl said clutch being normallwsnaced ,from ,said casing to provide lost mctionztherebetweem'saidgclutch and'casing being morale,le;tnwardtl andi a-.way from each other and engaaeahleiwithieach:other-after saidlost motion haszbcen-itakemup.; saidiclutch.including a central :L wedge.;r member4 anch` frictions. shoes surrounding saidwedgermembcleinw edgingengagement therewith; means; for; holding. said shoes; assembled withisaidwedge memberv and-limiting vexpansion ofi-said.;x clutch; andtspringf means Within the casingryieidinglyrresistinginward movement of.y the clutchi..

4..Inaishockabsorber; the combination with afhonsing; ofraxfrictionzcasinglslidingly telescoped Within?. the.l housingl said; casing. having interior frieten. surfaces; a. frictionY clutch normally spaced from-stile.: casing; andi held.. against inwardmovementzwithnrespectgto lthe housing, said 'casing andiclutehibeinggmovabletoward; and away. from each otalienlengthwise.` of thefmechanism, said clutch: inciudingiancentral: wedge block and frictiirn;sh'oes,=surrounding'said block, `said Ashoes havingfffrictiom'suriaoes engageable; with the friction surfaces ofi tha. casing; means. forv holding said shoes; assembled withvthe wedge -block and limitl' ing: exnansionaofi saidolutch; and spring means Within? the casing: yieldingly`I opposing relative movement: off the casing.: andi clutch toward each other. l

5.: Ima-.,.sloo.cir=.absorber;` the. combination with a f housings; of; airiction: casing slidngly telescoped Within; thea housing; said: casing having interior friction surfaces; a1.- friction. clutch normally Spacedffromithe leasing; and,y held against inward moyementiwitharespect'tn thehou'sing saidcasing Aand;cliitcinlieingrinovableetowardfand away from ea'h fotherslngthwise of the mechanism, said olutelniholuding a; central wedge block. andy frictionishoesssurroun'dingisaid block, said shoes havingffrietionxsurfacesfzengageable with the friction surfaces:offtiieicasingipsaid shoes having shoultion surfaces of the casing; means on saidwedge having-'shouldered engagement with the shoes for limiting lateral spreading of the shoes; and spring means within the casing yieldingly opposing relay tive movement of the casing and clutchV toward each other. Y

7. Ina shock absorber, the combination with a housing; of a friction casing slidingly telescoped within the'housing, Isaid casing having interior friction" surfaces; a friction clutch normally spaced from the casing and held against inward movement with respect to the housing, said Vcasing and clutchbeing movable toward and away from each other lengthwise Yof the mechanism, said clutch Vincluding a central wedge )block andv friction shoes Isurrounding' said block, said shoes having friction surfaces engageable with the friction surfaces rof the casing; means for limiting lateral spreading of the shoesV including cooperating shoulders on the wedge and Vshoes at one set of VendsY of the' latter and means at the other set of Vends of saidshoes holding said last named set vof ends from tilting; and "spring'means Within the casing yieldingly opposing relative movement of the 'casing and clutch toward each other.`

8 In a shock absorber, the combination with a housing open at its front end and closed at its rear'end' by a transverse wall; of a friction-clutch Vfrom the front ends Yof said shoes; lugs at the front ends of .said shoes; a spring follower ring bearing on the Vfront'ends of the shoes and surrounding said` lugs in shouldered' engagement therewith; and a spring within saidA casing yieldingly'bpposing inward'movement of said shoes 9. In a' shock absorber, the combination wit a housing open at its front end and closed at its rear end by a transverse wall; of a friction Yclutch inclu-ding a central wedge block bearing on said Y wall of the housing and friction shoes surrounding said block and in wedgingengagement therewith, sai-d shoes having outerfriction surfaces; a retaining flange on said wedge having shoul- Vwith respect to the casing, said spring bearing on said spring follower ring.

vto

dered engagement Vwith the rear ends of the shoes A to limit spreading Yof the latter; a friction casing open at its rear end, said casing being slidingly telescoped within said housing, said casing havingL interior frictionsurfaces Yat its open rear end engageable with the friction surfaces ofthe shoes,

the rear end of said casing being normally spaced from the'front ends of said'shoes; a spring follower having blunt wedging engagement with the i front ends of the shoes for wedging 'said shoes laterally inwardly; anda spring within said casing yieldingly opposing 'inward movement Vof 'said shoes with respect to the casing, said spring bearing on'said spring follower ring. Y

10. In a shock absorber, thecombination with a housing open at its Vfront end and closed at its Y rear end by a transverse wall: of a friction clutch including a central wedge block bearing on said wallof the housing and friction shoes surrounding saidblock andinfwedging engagement there- Y with,v said shoes having outer friction surfaces; a wedge seat on each of said shoes; projections yon said wedge engaged in said seats to limitlateral spreadingof said shoes;A` cooperating wedge faces on said projections of therwe-dge and seats ofthe shoes'for spreading said shoes apart; a friction casing open atits rearfend, said casing being slidingly telescoped within said housing, said casingV having interior friction surfaces at its open rearV end engageable with the friction surfaces of the shoes, the rearend of said'casing being normallyY spaced from the front ends of said shoes; Vlugs at the frontends of sai-d shoes; aY springV follower ring bearing on thefront ends Yof Vthe shoes and surrounding said lugs in shouldered engagement therewith; and a spring within said casing yieldinglyi-opposing inward kmovement of Vsaid 'shoes with respect to the casing, Ysaid spring bearing Y on said spring follower ring.

111-. In a shock absorber, the combination with a friction casing having inwardly converging,

interior vfriction surfaces;V of' a, frictionvclutch A Y normally spaced from the casing, said kclutch and casing'being movable relatively toward each other lengthwiseof'the mechanism; said clutch including a central wedge block and frictionshoessurrounding said block, said shoes having friction surfaces engageablewith the friction surfaces of the casing; means for holding' said shoes assembled with the wedge block and limiting expansion otsaid clutch; andspring means within the cas'- t ing yieldinglyopposing relative movement of the casingand clutch toward each other,

l12. In a shock absorber, the combination with a friction casing Vh'ai'finginwardly converging,

interior frictionsurfaces; of a friction clutchY Y' normally spaced from the casing, said casing-fand clutch being movable toward and away from each other lengthwise of `the mechanism, said clutch including a central wedge block and friction shoes Y surrounding'said block,v said shoes having friction' Y Y surfaces engageable with the friction surf'acesdfV Y the casing, said shoes having shouldered 'engagenient with the-wedg'e'to` limit lateral spreadingY Y of the shoes; and spring means within the casing yieldingly opposing relative movement of the casing and clutch'toward each otherfV nEFinmNoEsL CITED] The followingvreferences areof record.Y in the file of this patent: Y' Y Y 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date .g

731,116 Myer v, Junev 16, 1903 1,129,394 Y HughsY Febi23f, 1915 11,335,290 Y Myers Mar. 30, 1920 S 1,747,238 Gross v` Feb. 18, 1930 2,331,453 nath octiz, i943 2,340,335 Marsh i Feb, 1, 1944. 2,411,630 'Y Lehman etal.V Nov."26,` "1946 2,419,254 'nath Apr; 22,l 1947 

